Crystal Palace’s history is illuminated by iconic players whose performances, loyalty and leadership elevated the club across generations. From record appearance-makers to prolific goalscorers and modern-day heroes, these legends form a true Eagles Hall of Fame.
Record-Breaking Icons
Jim Cannon
Jim Cannon epitomises Crystal Palace loyalty, making a club-record 660 first-team appearances between 1973 and 1988 and captaining the side for a decade. The Scottish centre-back, often dubbed “Mr Crystal Palace”, won multiple Player of the Year awards and stayed with the club through promotions, relegations and a spell in the third tier.
Julián Speroni
In goal, Julián Speroni became a modern legend with 405 appearances from 2004 to 2019, holding the club record for goalkeepers and keeping 100+ clean sheets while winning four Player of the Year awards.
Peter Simpson
Peter Simpson remains Palace’s all-time top scorer, netting 165 goals in 195 games between 1929 and 1935, including a club-record 46 league goals in the 1930–31 season. Later eras saw striking icons like Ian Wright and Mark Bright define the late 1980s and early 1990s, with Wright scoring 117 goals in 277 matches and Bright adding 113 goals, both pivotal in promotion and the 1990 FA Cup run. These forwards turned Palace into a feared attacking force and propelled the club into national prominence.
Modern Era Heroes
No modern Palace Hall of Fame is complete without Wilfried Zaha, who made more than 450 appearances across multiple spells, becoming the club’s all-time leading Premier League scorer and a talisman of the post-2013 era.
Wilfried Zaha
A product of the academy, Zaha inspired promotion in 2013 and repeatedly dragged the team to safety in the Premier League with his goals and creativity.
Mile Jedinak
Midfield enforcer Mile Jedinak captained Palace through promotion and early Premier League consolidation, renowned for his leadership, aerial power and set-piece threat.
Geoff Thomas
Supporters also revere players such as Geoff Thomas, the inspirational captain of the “Team of the Eighties”, and Dougie Freedman, whose crucial goals in promotion campaigns and later role in rebuilding the club cemented legendary status.
Creative talents like Jason Puncheon and Yannick Bolasie became modern cult heroes, delivering key goals and thrilling wing play during Palace’s rise and establishment in the top flight.
Crystal Palace Legends Table
| Player | Position | Palace Years | Key Stats / Honours | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Cannon | Centre-back | 1973–1988 | Club-record 660 appearances, long-term captain | Club records |
| Peter Simpson | Striker | 1929–1935 | All-time top scorer: 165 goals, 46 in 1930–31 | Record goalscorer |
| Julián Speroni | Goalkeeper | 2004–2019 | 405 appearances, four-time Player of the Year | Palace legends |
| Ian Wright | Striker | 1985–1991 | 117 goals in 277 games, FA Cup heroics | Best players ever |
| Mark Bright | Striker | 1986–1992 | 113 goals, prolific partner to Wright | Top scorers |
| Wilfried Zaha | Winger / Forward | 2010–2013, 2014–2023 | 450+ games, Premier League top scorer for Palace | Records & stats |
| Geoff Thomas | Midfielder | 1987–1993 | Club captain in late 80s/early 90s, England caps | Greatest players |
| Mile Jedinak | Defensive Midfield | 2011–2016 | Promotion-winning captain, Premier League stabiliser | Palace legends |
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